Geert Wilders’ ex-spokesman spent party cash on Madonna tickets

A former spokesman for Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders used party cash to buy tickets to a Madonna concert, pay parking fines, take a trip to Berlin and purchase engagement rings, according to expense reports published Monday.

Michael Heemels, chairman of the Freedom Party in the province of Limburg and a spokesman for controversial party leader Wilders, quit in February after admitting that he used €176,000 in party money to fund an alcohol and drugs addiction. But according to reports out Monday, he also used the money to fund a luxury lifestyle.

The Freedom Party sent the newspaper De Limburger details of Heemels’ expenses from 2012 until February 2016, with the party saying it wanted “complete transparency.”

“He was not only addicted, but also wanted to fund an extravagant lifestyle,” said Robert Housmans, who replaced Heemels at the head of the PVV in Limburg on an interim basis.

The party filed a legal claim against Heemels seeking the return of all the money.

Heemels earlier admitted he made “financial mistakes” and “started using alcohol and drugs more and more as a result of increased pressure and stress.”